Fast-moving, entertaining and hard to put down; the earth politics feel a bit dated a la early 2000's Ringo/Kratman style but the Eden part is excelleFast-moving, entertaining and hard to put down; the earth politics feel a bit dated a la early 2000's Ringo/Kratman style but the Eden part is excellent...more
Very very good interpretation of the usual story; both giving a true historical but also mythical feel, a great love story, an emotional tale and of cVery very good interpretation of the usual story; both giving a true historical but also mythical feel, a great love story, an emotional tale and of course battles, intrigue. Highly recommended ...more
After the entertaining Nephente Rising, I immediately started this one hoping for a continuation of the plotlines in that book, only for this to go inAfter the entertaining Nephente Rising, I immediately started this one hoping for a continuation of the plotlines in that book, only for this to go in a completely different direction; while this was somewhat disappointing, the novel started really getting going after a while and I actually enjoyed this one as much as the first one in the end. Overall pretty much the same things are to be said (ok writing, less polished than in the author's latest novel, Duelist, which so far is still his best from what I read, energy carrying the plot, satisfying villains, excellent setting a good conclusion, a bit more definite than in the first book as the plot of this one goes)
After reading the very entertaining Duelist, I tried one of the earlier space opera books of the author, Nepenthe Rising, which is set in a different After reading the very entertaining Duelist, I tried one of the earlier space opera books of the author, Nepenthe Rising, which is set in a different universe trope (opposing interstellar polities currently in an unstable truce, smaller independent but poorer worlds, hence lots of opportunities for space pirates and the like); while the prose read somewhat clunkier than in Duelist, the book had energy and interesting set-up and characters and while there were a bit too many happy coincidences and even Deus-et-Machina stuff, I definitely enjoyed it till the end...more
Started a while ago the first Sertorius scroll novella but it didn't really convince me so I put it down; this one, on the other hand, is better, moreStarted a while ago the first Sertorius scroll novella but it didn't really convince me so I put it down; this one, on the other hand, is better, more "authentic" (still a bit modern but not as bad in the Sertorius one); short but good...more
The fifth installment of the Destiny's Crucible is a collection of tales that take place mostly on Anyar (one on earth, two in indeterminate places), The fifth installment of the Destiny's Crucible is a collection of tales that take place mostly on Anyar (one on earth, two in indeterminate places), most being expansions of some episodes from volume 4, a few continuations beyond the last volume, showing the return of general Akuyun to Narthon and Yozef Kolsko's next projects, while one of them is about the hero of book 6, Mark (C)Kaldwell, who was on a neighboring plane seat to Joseph Colsco in the fateful trip, story that is included in Passages too. I enjoyed the most the Kolsko and Akuyun stories, while the Kaldwell one is better read in the novel imho as it spoils the first half or so of that to some extent, with the rest ok but less interesting imho.
Overall, a transition book and worth reading for fans of the series, but not the place to start
While this immediate sequel to The Game Players of Meridien solved most of the mysteries left hanging at the end of that one and was quite fun, I thouWhile this immediate sequel to The Game Players of Meridien solved most of the mysteries left hanging at the end of that one and was quite fun, I thought that the direction the series is taking at the end of this book was one I am less interested than the fun, occasionally campy but lively first two volumes so will see if/when I will get to volume 3....more
Excellent reinterpretation of Justinian's reign, wars and legacy; put in context and showing how his reconquest policy evolved by chance after the comExcellent reinterpretation of Justinian's reign, wars and legacy; put in context and showing how his reconquest policy evolved by chance after the comprehensive but unexpected victory against the Vandals and the retaking of North Africa for the Empire and also how the resurgence of the Persian Empire doomed his Italian conquest in the long run though it overall paid for itself even partial and unfinished as it was; the 7th century Islamic rise and the collapse of the Empire to a medium power is shown tom be due to his successors rather than his overextension of imperial resources
Somewhat technical and fairly dense but highly recommended...more
An awesome artistic photo tour of Rome from 1870 till present (not touristy color ideal pictures, but either real life mostly b&w ones or from movie sAn awesome artistic photo tour of Rome from 1870 till present (not touristy color ideal pictures, but either real life mostly b&w ones or from movie shootings) - not recommended as a guide or before visiting the city, but superb after you've been there and walked it...more
Used it for my recent trip to Naples, Amalfi Coast and Rome (as these are 2 of the 6 destinations chosen here) and as usual in a Rick Steves guide, thUsed it for my recent trip to Naples, Amalfi Coast and Rome (as these are 2 of the 6 destinations chosen here) and as usual in a Rick Steves guide, the book was excellent and very helpful as here it fit our tastes very well - as these guide books tend to be quite opinionated (which is a plus for me), it matters a lot how well the choices of Rick Steves' team match to one's preferences and for us, it worked in most guides
Highlights - everything recommended in Rome was perfect for us (including the two walks which were great) as was Naples and Pompeii, while the Amalfi coast was a bit overrated by the guide imho - the drive was a great but quite stressful experience and while Ravello was awesome, Amalfi was very commercial and nothing really to miss except for its waterfront which has awesome views
Some prices differ a little from what is noted in the book (published 2018 - and there are updates at Rick Steves' website if needed), while the only quibble was about the Circumvesiana train which didn't really seem unsafe the way portrayed there - maybe because it was early April, but in the morning was packed with tourists and commuters and in the evening (~9) when we came back, it felt safe, not that many people after the first few stations, but no dubious ones either
Overall as usual an excellent and fairly concise guide and highly recommended if your destination matches its choices...more
An excellent biography of Napoleon from a Polish perspective; not as detailed as s ay the recent awesome one of A Roberts or as comprehensive as A CasAn excellent biography of Napoleon from a Polish perspective; not as detailed as s ay the recent awesome one of A Roberts or as comprehensive as A Castelot's reference biography, but very engaging and presenting a fairly balanced image of the emperor within the context of his times; while the author avoids simplistic villains/heroes (except of course the Tsar who is the ultimate villain quite understandably, with Napoleon in mnay ways presented as his dupe who really wanted the Tsar's friendship even when he invaded Russia), the book offers lively portraits of all the main personages of the napoleonic saga; highly recommended ...more
There was a lot to like about this book - the voice, the setting (both in authenticity and originality), the characters; the structure was ok'ish but There was a lot to like about this book - the voice, the setting (both in authenticity and originality), the characters; the structure was ok'ish but I felt there were too many interludes that broke the narrative flow; the major problem was the sfnal content which verged on breaking my suspension of disbelief quite a few times; overall, quite interesting and definitely will read book 2 ...more
The continuation of the story started in Russian Treasures set in Shanghai among the destitution of the white emigres, the naked exploitation of the lThe continuation of the story started in Russian Treasures set in Shanghai among the destitution of the white emigres, the naked exploitation of the locals by the representatives of the powerful countries hand in hand with the rich locals and the clash of cultures in this 20's Babylon, doesn't disappoint, being a fast-paced novel that cannot be put down once started
The main characters: Klim is still the modern picaresque hero, naive, well-intended and hence taken advantage of all the time, but somehow surviving his many (mis)adventures and even prospering here in a way- and Nina, who resembles to a large extent Maugham's (anti)heroine from Of Human Bondage, interested only to get by, so taking any advantage possible at a given moment, though her "cleverness" may finally lead her into fatal trouble, are joined by an essentially new cast, colorful and entertaining.
Very entertaining novel starting in 1917 just before the Bolshevik coup and then taking place during the Civil war as our heroes fortunes get interminVery entertaining novel starting in 1917 just before the Bolshevik coup and then taking place during the Civil war as our heroes fortunes get intermingled with the desperate attempts of the White forces to get rid of the criminals that took over their country, but the brutality and ruthlessness of the Soviet regime ensure its victory.
Klim - who is as close as it gets to a modern picaresque hero, naive, well-intended and hence taken advantage of all the time, but somehow surviving his many (mis)adventures - and Nina, who resembles to a large extent Maugham's (anti)heroine from Of Human Bondage, interested only to get by (though with extenuating circumstances as she was born poor and then managed to marry a count, only for her husband to die in war and leave her in debt, then getting back on her feet by running a factory only for the Bolsheviks to come and steal everything from her and that is just the start of her saga...), so exploiting Klim's infatuation with her to the maximum, are really compelling characters as is the large supporting cast. And of course, the epic Russian sweep adds a lot to the novel.
Fast paced and on occasion getting a bit borderline to jumping the shark so to speak, but overall kept my interest end to end and volumes 2/3 are definitely next...more
Heard of this series (Fortunes of France) for a while - even before the English translation project started a few years back - but while I took a lookHeard of this series (Fortunes of France) for a while - even before the English translation project started a few years back - but while I took a look at it at various times, I never progressed much in the first book; by chance this one (4th book) attracted my attention recently and then it kept my interest though overall while I greatly enjoyed it in parts, it definitely could have been superb - here I think the translation is at fault at least comparing to the famous Druon series, The accused Kings, which I read in both Romanian translation and French original and found it superb in both, while the English translation seemed almost a travesty, butchering it from an interesting series to a run of the mill adventure series that uses 5 common words only so to speak; I cannot say it for sure for League of Spies though i will try to see a French-language sample, but again the language is really childish in many instances and I kind of doubt it was so in the original French; anyway, worth reading but a better translation would help a lot
As for the book itself, it starts in 1574 just after the Huguenot massacre in Paris which our hero has barely escaped (in volume 3 I guess) and returned to his father's estate, and continues the story for a while until things get settled (the hero finally marries his lady love and moves to Paris for good) and then it jumps to 1584, when the narrator, now personal physician to King Henry III in Paris, starts acting as secret agent for the king as troubles with the Duke de Guise and his Holy League mount; as expected the story follows the well-known events of the times and ends with the Blois Estates General and the notable events there in December 1588, but in the meantime, we get to see the Queen of England, hear about the machinations of Spain and the Armada etc; lots of interesting and colorful characters, action, intrigue - this should have been an awesome book, but the language is often very puerile and as noted I strongly believe the translation is just bad...more
a very good overview of the controversies and theories of the foundation of quantum physics with lots of recent interpretations and experiments that ha very good overview of the controversies and theories of the foundation of quantum physics with lots of recent interpretations and experiments that have started to change the "usual" story one reads about (Bohr, Einstein, Heisenberg, Schrodinger etc) in both major and subtle ways
Highly recommended and very readable and accessible without too much math ...more
Very useful for my recent Germany trip - used it for Nuremberg, Munich, Bavarian Alps and the castles, Baden-Baden and the recommendations worked in aVery useful for my recent Germany trip - used it for Nuremberg, Munich, Bavarian Alps and the castles, Baden-Baden and the recommendations worked in all areas - actual visit, parking garages, walks, descriptions of places, maps, hotels, restaurants; as usual with a Rick Steves guide there is a lot of subjective emphasis on this and that and here it worked really well for me; quite up to date on various issues (eg ongoing construction here and there, prices, hours) and highly recommended for travel to Germany...more
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